Transcorp Hilton Abuja, in partnership with ACE Charity, has graduated another batch of beneficiaries under its Business Empowerment Programme for Women (BEPW), reinforcing efforts to equip young women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance.
The graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of the programme’s 16th cycle, with four young women completing six months of intensive training in fashion design, garment making and business management.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hotel Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Mohamed Said Khalil, described the initiative as one of the most impactful community development programmes he had encountered throughout his career in the hospitality industry.
He commended the organisers for investing in the future of young women and encouraged the graduates to make good use of the opportunity by building successful businesses.
Managing Director of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Uzo Oshogwe, congratulated the graduates for their determination and resilience, stressing that the programme goes beyond teaching tailoring to building entrepreneurs and future business leaders.
She urged the beneficiaries to prioritise quality service, maintain high standards in their businesses and, as they grow, extend opportunities to others through mentorship and job creation.
Oshogwe also assured the graduates that Transcorp Hilton Abuja and ACE Charity would continue to provide mentorship and business support beyond the training period.
Earlier, ACE Charity’s Grants and Partnership Officer, Rahina Opotu, said the Business Empowerment Programme for Women, established in 2017, was designed to empower young women with practical vocational and business management skills needed to become financially independent.
She explained that beneficiaries are selected based on passion, commitment and willingness to learn, while participants receive transportation, meals and sewing machines upon graduation to enable them to establish their own businesses.
According to her, the programme has now completed 16 training cycles and empowered a total of 60 women.
Opotu added that beyond vocational skills, the initiative builds confidence, discipline and leadership, preparing beneficiaries to become employers and contributors to their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, team leader Divine Favour thanked Transcorp Hilton Abuja, ACE Charity and the facilitators for believing in their potential and investing in their future.
She pledged that the beneficiaries would put the knowledge acquired into productive use and justify the confidence reposed in them.
Organisers also noted that participants contributed to humanitarian causes during the training by producing clothing and other items donated to vulnerable communities.
The ceremony featured testimonies from previous beneficiaries, including Jummai Harrison, who said the programme inspired her to pursue advanced fashion training and establish a thriving bridal fashion business that now provides employment for others.
Communications and Marketing Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Ijeoma Osuji, encouraged the new graduates to remain committed to continuous learning, grow sustainable businesses and mentor other young women, noting that the initiative aims to create a lasting cycle of empowerment across communities.
